Dandalla to bounce back at Haydock
Royal Ascot heroine Dandalla can get her career back on track with victory in the EBF British Stallion Studs Cecil Frail at Haydock tomorrow.
Karl Burke’s filly looked a potential superstar in the making when destroying her rivals in the Albany Stakes at the showpiece meeting last summer.
The daughter of Dandy Man was not thought to be at her best when following up in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket the following month – although that form looks better than it did at the time, given the runner-up Fev Rover has since finished third in the 1000 Guineas.
Dandalla was a little disappointing on her final juvenile appearance in the Cheveley Park Stakes, while any of thoughts of a potential Guineas bid were ended by a seventh-placed finish on her return to action in the Fred Darling at Newbury.
However, that run will have served a purpose in blowing away any cobwebs, and she is expected to be more at home back over six furlongs on Merseyside.
If Burke’s charge can get back on the winning trail, a return to Royal Ascot for a tilt at the Commonwealth Cup could be on the agenda.
The Martyn Meadetrained Lone Eagle can rediscover winning ways in the British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.
The Galileo colt won his final three starts as a juvenile – completing his hat-trick with a Group Three success in Newmarket’s Zetland Stakes in October.
Favourite-backers had their fingers burnt when he could finish only fourth on his return to action in last month’s Sandown Classic Trial, but it was not a bad effort by any means in what was a quite a strong contest.
Lone Eagle should strip fitter for that run, and the return to a slightly easier surface at Goodwood may also see him in a better light.
Lady Hayes gets the nod in the other Listed race on the Sussex Downs – the Height Of Fashion Stakes.
Roger Varian’s filly won at Salisbury and Haydock in September of last year, but came up short when stepped up to Group Three level in
France in her hat-trick bid.
She was much too keen to do herself justice on her comeback run in the Pretty
Polly at Newmarket three weeks ago and remains of significant promise.
Eldelbar can make it backto-back wins at Catterick in the racingtv.com Handicap.
Geoff Harker’s seven-yearold secured an eighth career victory on his latest visit to the North Yorkshire venue. Provided he handles the easier surface on his return, there is every chance he can follow up off a 5lb higher mark.
Bay Watch rates the best bet of the afternoon at Bath.